Andrew Gaw put himself in a strong position to become the first Filipino world poker champion after emerging as the chips leader in the first half of the second day of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) main event at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

The 30-year-old Gaw, a regular high-limit player at the Metro Card Club, continued his opening day onslaught, chipping up from 126,100 to 386,800 to lead the first 630 survivors after nine levels of play.

Gaw actually had a chance to be the only player to breach the 400,000 chip count after getting involved in a huge pot in the last hand, where he led out for 27,000 to a pot of 25,000 on a flop of A-heart, 10-heart and 9-heart, which was called by the player at the button.

The turn came 2-diamond and Gaw pushed all in with A-spade, 9-diamond, which was called by his opponent holding K-spade, Q-heart for a gut shot straight draw and a flush draw. The river fell J-diamond, giving Gaw’s opponent a broadway straight and the huge pot.

Gaw was followed in second place by Canadian Eric Cloutier with 383,500, while 10 other players bagged and tagged more than 300,000.

Gaw took an off yesterday and will return to the green felt today to continue his chase for the highly coveted WSOP bracelet along with the $8,546,435 top purse and a place in the history book.

Reigning Asian Poker Tour champion Neil Arce, whose campaign along with Gaw’s is supported by Metro Card Club is playing in the second half of Day Two at press time, trying to boost the 50,550 chips he accumulated in the first day.

A total of 846 players saw their WSOP dream—and their $10,000 buy-in—vanished in thin air in Day 2a of this 12-day event that offers a total pot of $61,043,600.

Among those who hit the exit door were poker greats Gus Hansen, Phil Laak, Barry Greenstein, Mel Judah, Hollywood actress-turned-professional poker player Jennifer Tilly, Mike Matusow, legendary “Amarillo Slim” Preston and 97-year-old Jack Ury, the oldest player to play in the WSOP.

A total of 6,494 players from all over the world, including celebrities in sports and the entertainment world, had signed up for the main event of the 40th edition of the multievent poker tournament that offers nearly $200 million in prizes.